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The number of people living with AIDS in central Ohio has, for the first time, exceeded 1,000
for five years in a row, making our community eligible for millions of dollars to help those with
the disease and its precursor, HIV.

Columbus Public Health is leading efforts to link the uninsured and underinsured with doctors
and other services by using $4 million annually from the federal government’s Ryan White Part A
program. The money is promised for at least three years.

The program allows communities to tailor services to their needs and is focused on getting
HIV-positive people into treatment and sustaining that treatment. With optimal care, the virus
diminishes, as does the risk of spreading disease.

“If you’re virally suppressed, your chances of transmitting the virus are substantially less —
as much as 80 percent,” said Audrey Regan, who directs sexual-health promotion at Columbus Public
Health.

At least 1,000 residents of Franklin County, its adjacent counties and Morrow County will be
served each year, Regan said. The grant is for those whose income is no more than 300 percent of
the poverty level, and who have no other health insurance, she said. The city is working with
several area organizations, including AIDS Resource Center Ohio.

“When people test positive, this is really focusing on linking people to care, to grab a hold of
that person and schedule them with their first appointment and stay with them their first couple
appointments to make sure they’re staying in care,” said Peggy Anderson, the center’s chief
operating officer.

Only about a quarter of those living with HIV have it under good medical control, she said.

Services will include outpatient care provided by area doctors; behavioral-health services,
including help with substance abuse; case management; and some support with transportation and
short-term housing, Regan said.

As of 2011, 4,182 people in the region were known to be HIV-positive. Based on federal
estimates, that probably means about 5,100 people were living with the virus, including those who
didn’t know they were infected.

“The two most-important audiences are those who have not been diagnosed and those that may have
been diagnosed and have not sought care,” said Jose Rodriguez, spokesman for Columbus Public
Health.

About 4 in 10 newly diagnosed cases are in people 15 to 29 years old, Regan said.

Insurance coverage for care is a particular challenge for young adults once they turn 19, said
Dr. Kimberly Bates, medical director of the HIV program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. At 19,
they are no longer eligible for Medicaid, which complicates matters, she said. “Most of them who
have jobs don’t have insurance or adequate insurance,” Bates said.

In Cleveland’s region, which has had a Part A grant since 1996, about 3,000 people were served
last year, said Melissa Rodrigo, supervisor of the grant’s program at the Cuyahoga County Board of
Health.

To inquire about the program, call 614-645-2273. For information on free HIV testing available
this Wednesday and Thursday, visit
http://publichealth.columbus.gov.